Commission to push for energy-savings law

The European Commission is planning to publish draft legislation requiring member states to impose energy-savings obligations on public utilities and introduce binding energy-efficiency targets for the public sector, according to a draft energy-efficiency plan due to be approved by the Commission on 2 March.

Some member states, including the UK, France, Italy and Denmark, as well as the Belgian region of Flanders, already have national energy-saving obligations in place for their energy industries. These have delivered good results the Commission says, producing savings of up to 6% of final energy consumption by the companies involved. Now it wants other countries to follow suit. If these requirements were introduced across the EU, it could save 100 million of tonnes of oil equivalent in 2020, it estimates.

The Commission will also propose setting binding energy efficiency goals for the public sector. It suggests that public authorities should be required to refurbish at least 2% of their buildings (by area) each year, which amounts to nearly twice the current rate for all buildings. Each refurbishment should bring these buildings up to the energy performance level of the top 10% of the national building stock. The Commission will lead the way, bringing the energy performance of all its buildings up to the highest standards by 2015.

Further into the future, the Commission says it may issue proposals for member states to make Best Available Technology (BAT) mandatory for the authorisation of new energy generation capacity. This could come with a requirement that, wherever cost-effective, existing installations should be upgraded to BAT levels whenever their operating permit is up for renewal. The Commission says it could propose such measures if energy efficiency improvements in this sector prove inadequate.

Other proposed initiatives include plans to make combined heat and power mandatory when there is sufficient demand and set minimum consumer information requirements for smart grids and meters. The Commission also wants member states to address the problem of ‘split incentives’ whereby it is not attractive for tenants or buildings’ owners to invest in efficiency. The Commission may amend its eco-design law to allow it to cover systems as well as products.

Other ideas contained in the paper include help for small-and medium-sized businesses and energy service companies, launching training initiatives, introducing innovative financing and requiring energy audits for big companies. The Commission also is also planning to tighten existing efficiency standards to drive energy efficiency improvements.

Günther Oettinger, the European energy commissioner, said on Tuesday (25 January) that the draft plan does not propose binding national energy-efficiency targets for member states. The Commission says it will consider proposing such targets in spring 2012, if its report to the European Council at that time shows the EU is still unlikely to meet its target of a 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. At present the EU is on track to achieving only half this objective.